How can personal hygiene be maintained in difficult circumstances?

Despite water shortage and restricted sanitation facilities in emergency situations, it's critical to ensure that some of the available water supply is used for personal hygiene to minimize health risks. Messages about the importance of handwashing with soap at critical times - for example; after defecation, after handling babies faeces, and before preparing food - are particularly important. As soap may be in short supply during emergencies, the use of ash, sand, or other culturally acceptable substitutes should be promoted.